Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract: chemical composition, antioxidant and hypoglicaemic activities

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract was investigated for its chemical profile and antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. The antioxidant effects were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Chi-carotene bleaching, and metal chelating activity assays. The carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes inhibition assay was used to test the hypoglycaemic potential. R. chalepensis showed a high content of hesperidin and rutin with values of 591.9 and 266.7 mg/g dry extract, respectively. The extract exhibited a promising protection of lipid peroxidation (IC50 value of 16.9 mu g/mL) and inhibited both alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest activity was found against alpha-amylase (IC50 value of 69.0 mu g/mL). The obtained results support the use of R. chalepensis leaves as healthy food ingredients.